Guwahati is a sprawling city in Assam and is situated beside the Brahmaputra River. Among all the places in Assam, Guwahati is one of the entertaining tourist destinations for visitors coming to Northeast India. Guwahati is popularly known for its temples, making it a popular pilgrimage destination, and river cruises.

Listed are a few places that are a must-visit on your trip to Guwahati, Assam.

1. Assam State Museum (Guwahati)

There is no better place to learn about a state’s history and cultural heritage than at a museum. Also known as Assam Rajyik State Museum, it is one of the biggest museums in India. Situated in the heart of Guwahati, the museum’s various sections exhibit crafts, sculptures, natural history, and folk art forms. The museum also houses a library. The museum is located close to the Guwahati railway station. You can visit the museum all days of the week except Monday.

Visit timings: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

2. Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden (Guwahati)

The largest in northeast India, Assam State Zoo cum botanical garden is spread over 432 acres in Guwahati. The picturesque place has landscaped gardens, water bodies, and large enclosures. Besides the animals, the zoo has a reptile house, a museum, and a herbarium collection. You can visit the zoo all days of the week except Friday.

Visit timings: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

3. Guwahati Planetarium (Guwahati)

Guwahati Planetarium is a centre of astronomical education and research in Assam. Guwahati Planetarium is also one of a kind in northeast India. Guwahati Planetarium is located in MG Road, Guwahati. Guwahati Planetarium holds regular sky-watching sessions. A highlight at Guwahati Planetarium is its special shows. These are projected on a dome-shaped overhead screen. You can visit the Guwahati Planetarium all days of the week except Sunday.

Visit timings: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

4. Nehru Park (Guwahati)

One of the oldest parks in Assam, Nehru Park is a public park in Guwahati. It is located opposite Cotton College in Panbazar area of Guwahati. This park is highly popular in Guwahati because of its scenic beauty and musical fountain. There are 45 sculptures made of concrete around the park each depicting the dance forms of Assam. It is closed on Thursdays. You can visit Nehru Park all days of the week except Thursday.

Visit timings: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

5. Maati Centre (Guwahati)

A social initiative started by a married couple, Maati Centre was set up to support the indigenous people of the Northeast through the sale of unique handicrafts such as saris, jewellery, ceramics, etc. It has evolved to become a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their crafts. You can visit this centre every day of the week except Sunday.

Visit timings: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

6. Kamakhya Temple (Guwahati)

Kamakhya Temple is one of the most revered temples in Guwahati. It is dedicated to the mother goddess Kamakhya. Of the 51 shakti pithas, Guwahati Temple is one of the oldest. Besides Guwahati Temple, there are other temples located in the complex. Guwahati Temple is the centre for tantra worship. Every year, thousands of tantra devotees flock to Guwahati to celebrate at the Ambubachi Mela festival.

Morning visit timings: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm; Afternoon visit timings: 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm

7. Umananda Temple (Guwahati)

In the Brahmaputra River, on the famous Peacock Island, lies the beautiful Umananda Temple. This is a Shiva temple in Guwahati. It is located on the opposite side of the famous Kachari Ghat in Guwahati. As it’s located on an island, visitors need to take a boat. You can visit this centre all days of the week.

Visit timings: 5:30 am – 6:00 pm

8. Navagraha Temple (Guwahati)

This ancient temple lies on top of Chitrachal Hill in South Guwahati. The temple of the nine celestial bodies is considered as the abode of the sun. Inside Navagraha Temple are 9 phallic emblems of Lord Shiva. A large part of the temple was destroyed by an earthquake but rebuilt. You can visit this centre every day of the week.

Morning visit timings: 6:00 am – 12:30 pm; Afternoon visit timings: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

9. Guwahati War Cemetery (Guwahati)

The Guwahati War Cemetery is a beautiful and peaceful spot in Guwahati. It contains the graves of World War II soldiers as well as Commonwealth servicemen of the Second World War. There are also 24 Chinese war graves and 2 non-war graves. The Guwahati War Cemetery is 2.5 km from Guwahati Railway Station.

Summer visit timings: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; Winter visit timings: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

10. Alfresco Grand Cruise (Guwahati)

For a grand cruise down the Brahmaputra along with a romantic dinner against the setting sun, opt for the Alfresco Grand Cruise. This must-visit experience in Guwahati is a thrilling experience. The cruise also plays live music and hosts cultural activities. You can also enjoy luxury river cruises, party cruises, and houseboat cruises.

To enjoy the best of places Guwahati has to offer, the best time to visit Guwahati is between October-April. During this time, Guwahati experiences pleasant weather. Another way to completely enjoy the bustling cultural environment of Guwahati is during festivals; Bihu festival in April is celebrated with great merriment in Guwahati.

If you have more days to spend in Guwahati, then we suggest you take a weekend trip to some amazing places near Guwahati.

Listed below are a few places that will take your trip to Guwahati to the next level.

Places to visit near Guwahati

Pobitora National Park, Assam (48 km from Guwahati)

Pobitora National Park is situated in the Marigaon district of the state of Assam. The national park is located about 48 km from Guwahati.

The grasslands of this wildlife sanctuary provide a habitat for the Indian rhinoceros, hosting Assam's second-largest population. The highest can be found in Kaziranga National Park, Assam.

Sualkuchi, Assam (35 km from Guwahati)

The textile center of Assam, Sualkuchi in Guwahati is a large weaving village where a dominant part of the inhabitants is engaged in the art of weaving exquisite silk fabrics. There is a textile park in Sualkuchi on the outskirts of Guwahati. The best time to visit Sualkuchi is between October and March.

Nalbari, Assam (43 km from Guwahati)

Nalbari is where you can get the best of both nature and religion. Picturesque paddy fields and dense forests add to the beauty of this place. It is also famous for its temples. The best time to visit Nalbari is in winter.

Tezpur, Assam (177 km from Guwahati)

Enjoy the historical sites in Tezpur, with some dating back to the 4^th century. Places to see in Tezpur include Hindu temples, tea gardens, and wildlife sanctuaries. The best time to visit Tezpur is between October and April.

Haflong, Assam (169 km from Guwahati)

This is a beautiful hill station in Assam. The architecture reflects marks of British colonialism. It is an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventurists interested in trekking and paragliding. The best time to visit Haflong is between October and February.

Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya (148 km from Guwahati)

Known as the wettest place in the country, Cherrapunjee is known for its waterfalls and living root bridges. Adventure activities tourists can enjoy here are camping, trekking, rock climbing, and river canyoning. The best time to visit Cherrapunjee is between October and May

Shillong, Meghalaya (100 km from Guwahati)

Shillong is a popular getaway from Guwahati. It is known for its scenic views, climate, waterfalls, cafes, and other interesting cultural places. The best time to visit Shillong is between September and May.

Nongpoh, Meghalaya (48 km from Guwahati)

Nongpoh is a relaxing weekend getaway destination from Guwahati and a good stopover before proceeding to Shillong. There’s not much to see here but the scenic landscape is ideal for taking short nature walks. The best time to visit Nongpoh is between December and February.

More things to do in Guwahati

Places to eat in Guwahati

Places to take scenic drives in Guwahati

Offbeat places in Guwahati

Places to shop in Guwahati

Places to stay in Guwahati

Historic places of Guwahati

Religious places in Guwahati

Best places to experience nightlife in Guwahati

Amazing places to do adventure sports in Guwahati

Cool places to attend festivals in Guwahati

Best places to buy souvenirs in Guwahati

Best places to experience local hospitality in Guwahati

Places to view wildlife in Guwahati

Places to experience river cruises in Guwahati

Places to have amazing coffee in Guwahati

Places to try tasty desserts in Guwahati

Places to have a picnic in Guwahati

Recreational places in Guwahati